Services and support for thriving families

It takes village to raise a child and Child Abuse Prevention month is all about connecting families to their village. Communities across Georgia have valuable resources that help families when they need it. In fact, many resources are underutilized because families either do not know that support exists or do not know how to access them. In the spirit of strengthening connections, here are three ways to support families in your community. 

Normalize Help: Parenting is hard and often requires the support of others to get through difficult periods. Encourage parents you know to get the help they need by linking them to resources in and around your community. Call 1-800-CHILDREN or (1-800-244-5373) to get information on local programs that help parents facing all kinds of issues be it personal or financial. Parents can also visit www.PCAGeorgiaHelpline.org for a long list of resources available to Georgia’s families.  

Get Involved: You can help kids in your community by interacting with them. There are tons of ways to build healthy, happy children through service. Volunteer at your local community center, mentor a local youth or simply babysit to give parents a much-needed break. Families win when they are supported by their communities, be part of positive change by getting involved.  

Spread the Word: There’s a good chance that many parents in your community are unaware of the resources available to them. Share critical information to help connect families in need to local supports who can help. You can organize an in-person event to introduce families to providers or post online so that people can discover resources in their own time. Every little bit helps.  

Don’t miss your opportunity to help prevent child abuse and neglect. What you do this month and all year long to build connections will help children across Georgia live healthier, happier lives. For more information about Child Abuse Prevention Month and activities across Georgia, visit: https://abuse.publichealth.gsu.edu/child-abuse-prevention-toolkit/